SOUTH UIST, ERISKAY, BARRA AND VATERSAY

South Uist (Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Deas) is a relatively large island lying between Barra and Benbecula. The west is machair with a continuous sandy beach, whilst the east coast is mountainous with a number of peaks. The main settlement on the island is Lochboisdale (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Baghasdail). Eriskay (Scottish Gaelic: Èirisgeigh) is a small island lying between South Uist and Barra and is connected to South Uist by a causeway and Barra by ferry. Barra (Scottish Gaelic: Barraigh) is characterised by a west side of white sandy beaches backed by machair and an east side of numerous rocky inlets. The airport is one of the most unusual in the world, with flights landing on the beach at Cockle Strand in between tides. The main settlement is Castlebay (Scottish Gaelic: Bàgh a' Chaisteil). Vatersay (Scottish Gaelic: Bhatarsaigh), linked to Barra by a causeway, is the southern-most inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides and has boasts vast white sandy beaches and turquoise waters.